95 bodies recovered after earthquake, landslide and flooding in Nepal

The Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute (KNMI) has issued a yellow weather alert for eight provinces in the Netherlands on Thursday evening, warning of thunderstorms and potential flooding. The warning was initially applied to eight provinces, with authorities indicating it could later expand to cover the entire country. KNMI is cautioning residents about heavy rainfall that may lead to localized water nuisance and disruption. Yellow alerts represent the second-lowest level on the Dutch weather warning scale, signaling potentially dangerous conditions that residents should be aware of. While this weather event is taking place in the Netherlands, it is relevant to Curaçao given the island's close administrative and social ties to the Dutch kingdom, including many residents with family and travel connections to the Netherlands.

The Meteorological Service of Curaçao has issued a forecast for Wednesday, August 26, warning of reduced visibility across the island for much of the day. Conditions are expected to be slightly cloudy with relatively dry weather overall. The primary cause of the reduced visibility is the arrival of Saharan dust into the region. This type of dust intrusion, known regionally as 'calima,' is a recurring weather phenomenon in the Caribbean, carried westward by trade winds from the African continent. Saharan dust events can affect air quality, reduce visibility for drivers and aviation, and may aggravate respiratory conditions for sensitive individuals. Residents are advised to be aware of these conditions throughout the day.

Massive floods and mudslides in Nepal's Rasuwa border region have left 384 travelers missing, including 291 foreign nationals. The disaster struck a remote mountainous area known for trekking and tourism routes near the Tibetan border. Nepalese authorities are working to determine the identities and nationalities of those unaccounted for. Dutch news outlet Nu.cw reports that it remains unclear whether any Dutch nationals are among the missing. The high number of foreign travelers reflects the region's popularity as a gateway for Himalayan trekking expeditions. Rescue and search operations are ongoing, though difficult terrain and continued adverse weather conditions are hampering efforts. The incident raises serious concerns about traveler safety in Nepal's mountainous regions during the monsoon season.